The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has called for urgent reforms and increased public funding to combat Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality rates.
The event, which gathered stakeholders from government, donor agencies, and the health sector to discuss practical solutions for improving maternal care, particularly for vulnerable women, emphasised that accessible health insurance is key to saving women’s lives.
The appeal was made at Abuja during the 7th edition of the NSSF Fireside Chat Series in Abuja, themed “Breaking Barriers to Maternal Health Equity: The Role of Health Insurance in Promoting Women’s Wellness.”
NSSF CEO Dr. Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko lamented Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate—over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births—describing it as a national emergency.
“How can we ensure that when a woman needs care, she can access it without money in her pocket and without delay?,” she stated, calling for better implementation of existing policies.
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Key discussions centered on sustainable funding and digital innovations in insurance, as shared by representatives from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Free emergency services and VVF treatments were cited as steps forward, but gaps remain.
Experts stressed the importance of preventive care, including mental health services and family planning, to reduce long-term costs and improve outcomes.
Persistent issues like misinformation, affordability, and mistrust in health systems were also highlighted, based on findings from NSSF grassroots programmes.
The NSSF pledged to develop policy briefs with gender-focused recommendations, aimed at reshaping health insurance to better serve maternal needs nationwide.
